Pets for people with allergies
I'm writing this because I know that allergists (mine included) always recommend to pet owners with allergies that they get rid of their pets. What a logical but miserable choice for the allergy sufferer to make. I am allergic to a lot more things than just animals (that'll be a whole other post) and I don't think that my strongest reactions were to dogs, cats or horses. I reacted to milk, but I still have cereal sometimes, cheese regularly and ice cream (in moderation).
Anyway, I think that pet ownership should be a choice. Even for allergic types. You just have to experiment and see if you can find a cat or dog breed that doesn't bother your allergies (or bothers them within an amount that you deem acceptable).
The thing that most people react to is the animal's salive and/or dander.
There are some breeds of cats and dogs that tend to cause less of a reaction to someone with allergies. But you have to visit someone (a breeder, a pet owner, etc) and see how you do with the type of animal in question.
Continue reading for info about specific cat and dog breeds that might work for you...
When we were looking for cats, Brad did a ton of research on breeds that might work for me. He found two (at that time): Devon Rex and Cornish Rex. Cats of either of these breeds are very high energy and require a lot of work on your part (not grooming, but entertaining). Devons have more pixie-like faces and that's originally what we fell in love with.
Later on, we discovered Siberian cats (not sure if this link works). These cats are rather dog-like in their devotion to their owners, playful and affectionate. They're similar in size to Maine Coon.
Those are the only cat breeds that I've heard of so far that usually work out ok with people with allergies. We've had some vistors who react poorly to the cats but others who don't have any reactions and go play with the cats.
Update: Karla stopped by and mentioned that she's does really well with Bengal cats too.
If dogs are more to your liking, you have a few more choices. Most of these breeds are small dogs, but there is also a medium sized dog.
Maltese. Bet you could have guessed that one, right? 
The Maltese has a long (unless you keep it trimmed) flowing white coat which will need to be brushed and taken care of regularly, but he doesn't shed much.
Portuguese water dog (this is the medium sized breed). These also don't shed much and don't produce a lot of dander.
Bedlington terrier. Doesn't shed much which means less dander which means happier allergic person.
Bichon frise. Doesn't produce much dander and is a great lapdog.
Dachshund. Good in both the short- and long-haired varieties.
Poodle. Standard, miniature and toy poodles have been found to work well with allergy sufferers.
Dog info from: PetPlace.com
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Gosh, I remember what it was like living with a dog and having allergies! But it sure didn't stop me from loving her any less! But thanks for the kick to research for for my next animal so that maybe I don't have to suffer so much.
Bengal cats also are good for people with allergies. They're a domestic/exotic hybrid (although now they're so far from the wild cat that they act exactly like a domestic) and there's something in the wild genes that makes them less likely to cause allergies than most cats. Both my boyfriend and I are supposedly allergic to cats (when I have tests done, I rate a 6 on a scale of 1-5 for cats) but I don't react to my Bengal at all, and my boyfriend only reacts if she rubs herself all over his face.
No one ever believes me when I tell them how allergic I am to cats. Especially when we had 5 at the same time. But really, hives everywhere, eyes swollen shut after mild exposure, total allergy hell.
But I fell for Mike and he had two cats (Siamese mix) and so I started considering allergy shots, only, after I moved in with him and was around the cats constantly, my allergies started to lessen. Or at least my physical response to them did.
Currently if I'm around anyone else's cats I react after about 30 minutes and if I go on vacation and none of our cats come with us, I'm miserable for two weeks until my system gets back under control. But then I'm fine again.
allergy sufferers also tend to tolerate abyssinians.
as for dogs, poodles are pretty allergy friendly and so are the new
"labradoodles".
I am allergic to both cats and dogs. I found that most dogs gave me some reaction, even poodles. I did find a wonderful Miniature Schnauzer that doesn't cause an allergic reaction at all. It's like a dream come true. And, in addition to that, he is great with kids, very loving, and cute too.
Hi. I am looking for a bigger dog. both me and my son suffer from allergies. does anyone know of any bigger dogs that are better for someone that suffers from allergies? please email me with any suggestions. thanks. ShelleWetzel@aol.com
A toy Shi-Tzu also does not cause allergies.
i am looking for some information on saint bernards and how they effect people with allgeries. my son is allergic to cats and dogs and desperately wants a puppy. and also if there are any common cats that are better. my daughter wants a cat and those breeds listed above are a little out of our price range. any comments would be appreciated thank you
I am looking for info regarding how "hypo-allergenic" West Highland Terriers are? I saw a dander ranking of 7, does anyone know the meaning of this ranking?
My 12 year old son is very allergic to cats and dogs. We had a bishon and he could not tolerate him either. Fortunatly, a family member gave him a good home and we can still visit. Both myself and my children feel that our home is empty without a family pet. Fish and hermit crabs are not the solution,(not able to hug) . Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou
I currently have a toy poodle who gives me no problems with my allergies and asthma. My choc. lab does once in a while. MY daughters really want a cat and I would love one too. Have been doing alot of research regarding the sphynx, Cornish Rex and siberians. Is there any hope in my future to own one of these cats. I live in upstate NY(Saratoga) and can't find a breeder or someone who owns one so I can visit and "test myself" with. Someone please help. Thanks
I was wondering if anyone could suggest an allergy-friendly animal. I have cats and dogs, but they stay outside because of my allergies. I would love to have a "friend" who could stay inside with me. And something more loving than a fish.
Thanks! 
I developed allergies to cats and dogs as an adult after having pets in my parents home throughout my youth...I eventually had to give up a wonderful manx (expensive purebred to make it worse) in my early 20's...but recently I was staying w/a friend who has a dog that looks like a greyhound, called a whippit (? not sure of the exact spelling)...This dog slept w/me, licked me, etc, and elicited no asthma or hives...I would suggest to anyone looking for a medium-sized dog to check out this breed...sorry about not knowing the spelling! Also, I'm in the market for a cat again, and would appreciate anyone's advice for finding one that might agree w/my allergies.
The worst alllergic cat reation I ever had was to an Abbysinian! I read somewhere that It is very a very individual thing as to which Animals you will react to.
If your allergy is to the dander (i.e., it's to the dried protein in the dander), then Siberians will work for you. They don't product the protein that most cat allergy sufferers are allergic to. Generally speaking, people with allergies to cats can tolerate Siberians even in very close proximity, such as rubbing on their bodies.
The Rexes (Devon, Cornish, Selkirk, Scottish) also generally do well, because they don't have the shedding under-coat. They do occasionally shed, and people will have some reactions to when they do shed, but it's relatively rare. With Rexes, since they do have the protein, there's a good chance that you'd have to be pretty careful about interactions (always wash your hands after petting the cat, keep them away from your pillow and bed sheets, etc.).
Finally, they say if you has asthma in addition to allergies, you should never have an animal you might be allergic to, even if you aren't symptomatic. One bad case once can kill you.
Not that that seems to stop my wife.
I have severe allergies to cats, dogs, and horses. Have asthmatic reactions. Had a poodle for 13 years and each year my asthma got worse. Two weeks after he died, I was fine. I loved him and still miss him, but certainly not the asthma. I tried a cat and, believe it or not, a minute dose of a horse tranquilizer with a vet's help which was supposed to change the chemistry of the cats saliva and stop allergies. As the cat grew it was hard to know how much to give the cat and I was allergic, so gave up that experiment. Meanwhile, as animal lovers missed having a pet. So now we have a bird. They have so much more personality than you would ever believe. They can be affectionate, funny, etc., everything you would want in a pet--and more--and that's the problem. The more is that birds can be treacherous biters and deafening screamers. This is a serious problem with birds. We now have a hyacinth macaw. Most of the time she is wonderful, but recently she bit a friend of mine and broke the skin. I hated that! She also will scream at the top of her lungs over something so simple as a guy across the street getting in his car, which shatters my nerves and is a significant problem particularly when I am already stressed over something. Our first bird was a parakeet and we had no problems with biting or screaming. THAT was the perfect pet, except that if they fly around the house free they go to the bathroom all over the place. We probably should have clipped her wings which would have stopped her from going where we didn't want her to go. She was fun and she was sweet. And the bird in the Guiness Book of World Records with the largest vocabulary was a parakeet! Now not all of them will talk by any means--you can't count on it and need to be sure you will love it anyway. Also, be sure to educate yourself to their care. Tame your parakeet to come out of its cage and be sure to spend time with it. They're cheap, they are easy to take places, or it's easy to find someone to take care of it if you need to. Had no allergic reaction to a parakeet--do have some to our Hyacinth Macaw.
i'm really allergic to dogs and i really
want one that's CUTE. what type can i get that's not a labradoodle because they're really ugly.
I've heard that tonkinese are pretty allergy friendly, can any one confirm that? and where could i find infor on dander ratings?
Im soooo glad i found this page... as i'd Love to have a puppy and 've been looking for some info online for "safe puppies"..
My husband is being allergic to dogs.. but now i read that Bichons are "Okay"..? Well thats' great!'cause that's the exact one we wanted...well in case it won't shed..
We have a bengal kitty and i have to say, that she's "Okay" too... with all his allergies..and trust me..it gets him down bad...all that pollen and whatever els that is...
Regards, Broni
My parents own a long haired dachshund whom i have lived with most of her life and i developed my allergy to her after a few years, we had her since she was a pup and now she is 11. I dont think a long haired would be a good idea for people with allergies to dogs but maybe the short hair would be better, I also have asthma which she effects too. I am looking for a dog that would be good for me that wont effect my asthma or sneezing and will be looking at the short hair dachshund and mini schnauzer.
I am really allergic to cats but I've had great success with my Abyssinian. Mostly, she sheds in the winter months which helps with contact dermatitis from cat hairs. BUT be prepared to own a second cat because they are high energy, high affection, more like a puppy than "typical" cat.